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ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NEA-THOM McAN SCHOOL BOARD AWARDS
NORTHEAST REGION - Over 6,000
Baldwin-Whitehall Education Association 4653 Clairton Boulevard Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236
Baldwin-Whitehall School Board 4900 Curry Road Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236
TYPE OF PROJECT: Instruction
WHAT? Problem: The problem is how to provide for the great difference in pupil ability and interest within a school program that is primarily geared to mass education.
Solution: The development of a new program of Individualized Prescribed Instruction (IPI) developed in cooperation with the Learning Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and refined and made workable at Oak Leaf Elementary School in Baldwin-Whitehall.
HOW? With the help of specialists in Learning from the Learning Research Center, and the cooperation of the Board of Education, it was possible to develop a program which focuses primarily on basic content of reading, mathematics and science. Through a carefully sequenced set of instructional objectives for each subject, it permits each pupil to proceed at a pace that is determined by his individual abilities and interests. Three factors contributed to making this a reality : expansion of staff, particularly in the addition of teaching aids and clerks to help teachers with the tasks of individual evaluations and record keeping; the development of a whole series of programmed sequences and tests which test the child individually before he begins a prescription (or unit) of work during and after he finishes; a vast expansion of the number and variety of teaching aids and materials including all types of printed matter, tape and disc recordings, and other mechanical and electronic aids. Results are being observed and studied by representatives from across the country. Attendance rates have improved; children of every level of ability are engrossed in and excited by learning and the satisfactions it yields.
WHY? "The Board of Directors supported the professional staff and the Learning Research and Development Center by designating the Oak Leaf School as the pilot school for IPI. During the time the program was being developed, the Board of Directors provided time, financial resources, and rallied the public's support for the project"
SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Letters of commendation; press clips from Pittsburgh papers, and those of many other cities; special report in "Education USA" (NEA Publication; booklet on IPI and one on the Learning Research Center.)
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ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NEA-THOM McAN SCHOOL BOARD AWARDS
NORTHEAST REGION - Under 6,000
Haddon Township Education Association Memorial Avenue Haddon Township, New Jersey 08108
Haddon Township Board of Education Memorial Avenue Haddon Township, New Jersey 08108
TYPE OF PROJECT: Instruction - vocational
WHAT? Problem: Haddon Township is located in a county of nearly 400,000 residents which had only one vocational-technical school. It was so overcrowded that only a small percentage of applicants could be admitted. Many others became drop-outs from their district high schools where there was no program to meet their needs. At the same time there were many industrial and business groups in need of trained personnel.
Solution: Several years ago the Haddon Township Board decided to develop a vocational curriculum at Haddon, to make it more of a comprehensive high school and to meet the needs of the 50% of the students from whom high school represented terminal education.
HOW? The Board first surveyed the community for the answers as to what kind of training was in most demand. The first course developed was one in data processing which has since become a model for the state. This was quickly followed by others until the "salable skills program" now includes marketing, distributive education, office occupations, graphic arts, electronics, power mechanics, nursing aid services, food service and automotive shop. Local business and industry have been enthusiastic in cooperation and support and numerous work-study programs are in operation with more under consideration. Nearly all graduates are able to find jobs in the local area. This "comprehensive" high school now offers a total of 98 courses instead of an average of 8 to 10 for other area high schools, and meets the needs of the vast majority of its students instead of only 50% who were headed for college. One feature of this development is that it was undertaken and carried out largely with local funds, with the exception of a small amount of state aid for a pilot project.
WHY? This Board was nominated "for outstanding leadership and accomplishment in the community in providing vocational programs not usually provided in a comprehensive high school."
SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Letters of explanation and endorsement; press clippings.
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ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NEA-THOM McAN SCHOOL BOARD AWARDS
SOUTHEAST REGION - Over 6,000
Department of Classroom Teachers 10th and Clark Streets Paducah, Kentucky 42001
Paducah Public School Board 10th and Clark Streets Paducah, Kentucky 42001
TYPE OF PROJECT: Instruction - broad change
WHAT? Problem: To elevate the quality of education offered in the system from what was considered prior to 1963 as second rate quality to first rate quality.
Solution: This Board has championed curriculum improvement and supported experimental instruction programs.
HOW? Beginning in 1963 this Board hired an outstanding superintendent interested in advancing quality education, and has continued to hire concerned and committed certified teachers. Salary schedules, in-service education, employment of consultants, travel expenses for these teachers to achieve professional advancement have been forthcoming. This professional staff has guided the educational development. A program to cut drop-out rates began in 1963 and to date includes (1) increasing guidance counseling staff from 1 to 10; (2) increasing special education classes from 2 to 27; (3) doubling the number of courses in vocational education (addition of a 1 million dollar vocational technical school in 1965); (4) a program to employ students from low income families; (5) a Head Start program. Curriculum advance toward quality education since 1964 include (a) increasing librarians from 1 to 11, (b) an Initial Teaching Alphabet Program for reading, (c) comprehensive math in grades 1-12, (d) non-graded primary unit, (e) revised science curriculum, (f) revised foreign language program to include four year courses, (g) programs in vocational home economics, vocational business, and distributive education, (h) reorganization and consolidation of schools to achieve complete pupil and staff integration, (i) a program for disadvantaged children, (j) installation of 4-channel, 2500 mc Educational TV, (k) Computer Service Center, (l) a reading clinic. The Federal-State-Local matching fund formulae were used to implement many of these programs. Note: Their long but concisely written entry gives some detail about all of the above mentioned projects.
WHY? "The Paducah Board is unique because it avoids the common pitfall of many other Boards in refusing to function solely as a fiscal body . . . At each regular meeting . . . the major portion of time is reserved for special reports in instructional activities."
SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Endorsements letters and numerous press clippings; Board newsletters and communications.
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ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NEA-THOM McAN SCHOOL BOARD AWARDS
SOUTHEAST REGION - Under 6,000
Opp Teachers Association East Stewart Avenue Opp, Alabama 36467
Opp City Board of Education East Stewart Avenue Opp, Alabama 36467
TYPE OF PROJECT: School Construction
WHAT? Problem: Population growth in this small industrial town (population 6,000) caused a need for school space. The opportunity to build also presented an opportunity to completely solve the integration problem at the same time. "Before the construction of this high school, conditions were crowded and all white."
Solution: The school board built a new ultra-modern high school with local funds totalling $1,500,000. The expansion space this provided made it possible to completely desegregate all children throughout the system.
HOW? With the exception of stating that schools had always been important to citizens of this town since its founding in 1902, this entry did not explain how the board got the financing, or developed community relations to proceed with this large-scale project. The design is ultramodern, utilizing hexagonal and octagonal structures, and incorporating the following facilities; library with study balcony; special facilities for instruction in major study areas (math, history, social studies, science, foreign languages, home economics, business education, driver education, art, music, physical education, vocational agriculture, speech, and diversified occupations); 1,000 seat auditorium, and offices. The former high school is being remodeled for use as a middle school. Both facilities will be completely air conditioned. Application has already been made for an area vocational school under a state plan.
WHY? "For a school board to undertake to finance such a building project as this with local funds, and to completely desegregate the system is unprecedented in Alabama." (From entry) "A one and one-half million dollar effort by a community of 6,000 people, accomplished solely with local effort is, we think, unique." (From a letter from the PTA President).
SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Letters of endorsement, brochure, several pages of color photographs, newspaper article.
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ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NEA-THOM McAN SCHOOL BOARD AWARDS
NORTH CENTRAL REGION - Under 6,000
Rossford Education Association 701 Superior Street Rossford, Ohio 43460
Rossford Exempted Village 701 Superior Street Rossford, Ohio 43460
TYPE OF PROJECT: Instruction - Development of a new education center
WHAT? Problem: There was an opportunity to acquire some Federal property (an Army depot) and funds to develop a much needed vocational and technical education center in a 19 county area where there was no vocational or technical education available.
Solution: The Rossford Board spearheaded the effort to gain cooperation of the 19 jurisdiction, solve the problems of taxes, of overlapping authority, negotiating with the government, planning and developing the needed vo-ed facilities, then worked with the Wood Co. Improvement Corp. in the development of the balance of the property by private industry into an Industrial Park.
HOW? When the Federal Government announced the phase-out of the Rossford Army Depot, the Rossford Board took leadership in pulling together 19 school district to form the Penta County organization which serves as a Board of Vocational Education for all the areas, while each area continues to provide general education as before. Penta County School District is composed of 19 districts in 5 counties, and covers over 1400 square miles and serves half a million people. Students may attend Penta County Vocational School and Technical College for certain work, while continuing to take academic subjects and participate in extracurricular activities in their home high school. Their diplomas, when they graduate are issued by their home high schools. The schools offer three levels of vo-ed--an area vocational high school, a technical college and an adult division. Operating on the Quarter system, it is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and serves more than 1000 students. A preliminary survey confirmed needs and pointed out areas of priority in developing what is, even now in the school's 3rd year, a broad range of vocational training courses. The nearby Industrial Park employs more than 2000 persons, and "there is clear evidence the school is drawing industry into the area." The school is the model for a series to be developed in Ohio and has been studied by visitors from many states. Arrangements have been made to have Penta County operate technical education for Ohio State University on their campus. The educational philosophy is built around the individual needs. "By offering a broader range of educational opportunities it will enable more students to finish high school and become employable."
WHY? The Rossford Board unselfishly relinquished their superintendent to head this program and shared their wealth with other districts in creating a broad tax base which makes this school possible.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Letters of endorsements, testimonials, press clips, map, brochure about the school, summary of a survey attitudes, tax valuations of 19 areas, etc.